UNEDITED VERSION.
CHAPTER ~ ONE
London, 1896 Running a long, anorexic finger along the park bench it felt cool, clammy to his touch. The metal held a refreshing quality in the midst of the heat-wave that he thoroughly needed. Oh, he thought, what he wouldn’t give to go home and find his casket filled to the rim with ice. He gripped the back of the seat allowing the cold to penetrate his lichenified shell. Inhaling, he decided he smelled as badly as he felt, like death warmed over. Annoyingly, a flurry of flies swarmed deliriously ‘round his head as if they’d found a giant pile of manure. The warmer weather indeed created unwanted havoc. As he waited for her to exit the restaurant, his foot tapped out a lonely tune in the dirt one solitary note at a time, lifting tiny plumes of dust into the air in rhythm to the quartet playing inside. He sneezed and his red-marble eye shot out of his head like a tiny canon ball. Quickly, he scurried across the ground to retrieve it. After a quick spit-shine he popped it back in its socket. For four years now he’d had nothing more than broken dreams of her to comfort him. So many evenings he slept on the floor… so close, lending her his bed, for what? Not a damn thing, he conceded. Nothing ever came of his generosity, except a sore wrist from too much time spent under his covers fantasizing.
He’d taken his time, plotted, made diabolical deals, and given the ultimate sacrifice for her, his life to bring him to this juncture. Tonight she would be his. There would be no mistakes. No turning back. Four years ago he underestimated her. Never again. He watched her through the picture window as she danced with strangers. Repulsive, spineless, heathens hidden behind the stature of wealth and social class, attempting to fondle her as they held her soft, curvaceous, body close. He should be in there with her arms around him, her body pressed tightly against him. He shook his head and refocused. Her yellow, silk, ball gown flowed graciously around her ankles. With every step she took the dress clung to the soft ripeness of her hips, and small firm breasts. Having all ready seen what secrets lay beneath her gown, he knew there stood a pair of legs that were long, slender, guarding the entrance to what he claimed as… his. He imagined her once again bare, with her long ebony tresses flowing over him as she straddled him and rode him hard. Only in this fantasy things would work out swimmingly to his vantage. He envisioned her breasts firm and her nipples piqued with desire for him. He’d take her ripe buds into his mouth and taste, suckle, and then sink his teeth deeply into them. Her muscles would tighten and clamp down lower in her groin, gripping the full length of him as he drove into her silky entrance, slowly at first then harder and harder until wave after wave of sheer pleasure would wash over her. She’d be hot and slick and growl his name over and over until they were both
sated. He knew he could and would satisfy her. Tonight, he’d make her his woman. After he’d finished with her, she would never desire another man. Ever. His tongue slithered across his lips in anticipation. He watched her laughing, whispering in strangers ears, her hot breath on their skin, while his stolen blood roiled beneath the surface of his flesh. With his prurience ready to burst beneath his trousers he fidgeted violently inside his pockets, squeezing out of what little life his nob had left. He fondled his only testicle, reminiscing how he lost the other one. Jesus, she had one hell of a grip on me that night. He ran his free hand over his face, resting on the hole where his eye once called home. He went back in thought to his first and last date with Raven St. James, thinking their night together wasn’t as magical as he’d promised her. What would he promise her tonight? Eternity? Immortality? A living hell? It had a nice ring to it. The door to the restaurant opened, jarring his thoughts. As people sauntered into the streets he shoved his body from the bench, and stretched his long, lanky legs. He took to pacing at a good clip down the street, and turned brusquely into the darkened alleyway to relieve his now throbbing erection. Shaking off the slime, he watched his nob wither before his eye. Walking back out into the street he slipped into her carriage to surprise her, only once inside he was the one surprised. “Jasper?” His gray ugly eye cast the other man an unappreciable gaze. His red marble glared eerily ahead.
“Master.” Jasper bowed his head in respect. “I thought this task would be easier on you if it were done by someone other than yourself. This way, when Raven sees you after such a long respite, you’ll be her knight in shining armor.” He pondered the idea, feeling a grin coming on. For once in his moronic existence, Jasper finally made sense. “Fine, but let me speak to her first. I must have her…” He attempted to finish his thought, but repeated, “I must have her.” “What of Lucian, my master?” Jasper asked anxiously. He cringed hearing the name. His jaw tightened, his malicious smile quickly diminished. Oh, how he loathed the man. Lucian… the relentless thorn in his side. Lucian… Mister tall, dark, and handsome, no doubt having an incestuous relationship with his goddess of a twin. The lucky bastard. In all likelihood the reason Raven never came to him. Lucian… soon to be out of his life forever. His hatred for this man stockpiled for the past eight years and tonight he’d finally rid Lucian of his last breath. Tonight, it was all about him. He closed his eye a moment as a small whistle escaped through his nose. He hissed, “Obliterate him.” Jasper’s laugh penetrated his soulless shell with the clarity of nails on a chalkboard. ****
After thirteen grueling hours spent in the morgue, or Hell’s garden, as Dr. Serina Spencer affectionately called her job, she decided that she’d seen enough blood and guts to last her a life time or at least today. Glancing around the room through weary eyes she bid, “Sweet dreams,” to no one capable of responding as she looked over the soulless cadavers. She pulled the door tightly closed, locking it behind her. Thinking back, her day had been born in the bowels of Hell. There could be no other explanation. Her assistant disappeared shortly after the two of them had to take down a newly turned vampire. The dead man blasted out from the cooler, like a boxer taking to the ring, snarling, and scratching at everything and everyone. He had no clue as to who or what he was only that he thirsted for someone’s blood. Eyeing Serina, he licked his lips in anticipation. Earlier in the morning, she’d placed the man in the cooler with his ribs cracked open, with a nice slice separated his skull from his brain. Before her disbelieving eyes, the man refashioned himself. His rib cage closed in like a giant Venus fly trap securing the rotted organs inside, while his teeth popped out one at a time, clanking on the floor like loose change. He sprouted four heart-stopping fangs in their place. Serina wasted no time and swiftly beheaded the man, ripped out his heart and stuffed him in the incinerator. Serina thought he’d died from a newly discovered blood disorder, hemophilia. Apparently not. Days like this one, she could do without. She despised being wrong.
**** With the heat beleaguering her she decided to go directly home and relax. Normally, she’d have all ready been to the orphanage, helping out, but the mere thought of little people climbing atop her, all hot and sticky, well, she quelled the idea fast. Once home and settled, Serina sat quietly reading by candle light her cherished book by John Waller, “The Discovery of the Germ: Twenty Years That Transformed the Way We Think About Diseases.” Most nights the candles relaxed her, but tonight the little bonfires roasted her bum. Lounging in her dining room, her feet propped up on an adjacent chair, and cup of tea steeping beside her, light on the cream, heavy on the sugar, Serina tried to decide if she should keep her favorite, lacy robe on. She’d been misting. Misting, her endearing word for sweating. Sweating to her, conjured up pictures of filthy rogues or her after a day like she had at the morgue. Misting seemed delicate like the morning dew on her beloved rose bushes. It was feminine and soft, like her. She chortled loudly at the very idea of her being feminine. Her dressing gown gathered fluidly in the back resembled the train of a wedding dress and was adorned with black silk rosebuds. The front of her robe needed no decorations. Her generous endowment had that covered and then some. An hour earlier she’d struggled ridiculously to get the two buttons closed, exhaling all her air, hoping to deflate her chest just enough to hook them. “Finally,” she’d said triumphantly. “But breathing no longer seems an option. At least I’ll look ravishing when someone finds me out cold on me floor a
lovely shade of blue.” After sucking in a huge gulp of air one of the buttons broke free and flew across the room. Frustrated, she got down on her hands and knees searching the floor. Maybe tomorrow she’d sewn it back on. Maybe not! **** Attempting to hop right back into her book, Serina found her own skin an uncomfortable fit. With her hair clinging to her like a wet blanket she remembered why she always wore it up. Blythe and her brilliant idea! “Wear your hair down, Dr. Serina! You’re too finicky, too matronly.” “Why did I listen to her?” She grunted making her way to her kitchen for wet a cloth. Bringing the cool, moist, rag to her, she wrung it out across her neck, enjoying the brief respite from the heat as the water trickled down between her cleavage, soaking her robe. Serina glanced at her chest. Her nipples, now perky and wide awake, looked back at her as they burst through the robe. She smiled, idly chatting with her breasts, “You old girls hot enough? Your bloody well big enough!” Without warning, Serina felt queasy. Doubling over, her stomach rolled and she knew instinctively trouble brewed. Her skin burnt with an uncomfortable, prickly, insatiable energy she couldn’t vanquish, much like poison ivy, she decided. The combination just made her all the more certain she would indeed be knee deep in shite soon. The cool water that only moments ago caressed her now felt as if it could boil her flesh. At that moment she was certain nothing could satisfy her. She immediately reneged that, knowing a large bowl of crème ice would do nicely. Crème ice… her answer to a tumultuous day or a lonely night. It worked better than most of her spells and if she were truthful with herself, all her spells!
Her margin for error grew wider daily. With a swift change in direction Serina set her sights on her new icebox stalking it, anticipating the vanilla flavor, almost tasting it as she opened the door and found everything inside melted into one smelly unrecognizable pile of, “Sh…” She slammed the door shut muttering nothing worthy of repeating. She added to her procrastinate today, pay tomorrow list. Tomorrow, not that she was one of those, but… if the shoe fit? She would clean out the icebox… and sew on a button… and possibly take the time to find a husband. Highly unlikely. In the far off distance Serina heard the hooves of horses clacking against the cobblestone. Here we go, she thought. Subtle voices in her head drew her to the window. Dimly lit homes along the street cast a yellowish haze around a lonely, barren carriage stopped in the middle of the road. Voices stormed her, all screaming, all frantic. One of the voices inside the carriage was completely inaudible. Serina sensed the voice to be a male, gurgling or drowning, either way trying to read his mind proved futile. The man had the attention span of a gnat in a windstorm. Then she heard another male. Fear saturated his every word. A definite mixture of yelling and gurgling between the two men filled the air and the combination, she didn’t fancy. Hold pressure. I’ll find us a doctor, please just hold on. Don’t you dare go die on me. Damn it, I’ll kill you me self! **** The driver of the carriage, Duncan Thomas groped his wit’s end. He couldn’t help it. Once he’d had seen the state of the two people he considered his
brother and sister, all reason abandoned him. He’d have rushed these two to their family physician if he’d not seen the older gent being carted out from the same party he’d just left, completely inebriated and not knowing his own name. Couldn’t begrudge the man, the party had after all been in his honor for forty years of honorable service to her Majesty. Duncan would have propositioned the flu-faker if he’d happened by, he was that desperate. And since Duncan didn’t get on well with the sight of blood, he was giving praise he hadn’t fainted dead away. Remembering back to when his wife bled to death giving birth to their breech daughter, he’d never seen so much blood… until tonight. Witnessing his baby suffocate with the umbilical cord knotted around her delicate neck, stymied a chunk of Duncan’s heart forever. And here his best mate was busy doing both, bleeding and choking to death. He screamed at the top of his lungs for help. **** A haunted chill scraped Serina’s spine like a dull scalpel hearing the man’s cries. She suddenly regretted using her powers seeing the man bathed in blood, fighting for every ounce of air he could force into his lungs, yet the gentleman’s lady companion lay still, seemingly untouched. Hopefully she’d only fainted. Somehow, Serina knew it wasn’t going to be that easy. It never was. That thought didn’t bode well. With her palms to the skies she begged, “Please, no more dead. Is it not enough I have to go to work and face this, now they’re getting delivered to my door? Oh Goddess, just once can’t I have a man land on me stoop? Alive! Betrothed to no one? In one bloody piece. Happy to see
me? I finally get it. Tis not what I wish for, tis how I wish for it!” Peeking between the curtains, Serina noticed curiosity seekers basically doing the same thing she did, peeping. She watched a tall man wearing a black cloak and top hat run sporadically door to door, rattling them, pounding on them, begging for assistance. He stopped in the centre of the road, desperate and screamed, “Is there a doctor anywhere, please, anyone, we need help. Please!” And then he dropped to knees and wept. Doors slammed in his face and no one came, all because of a well-known madman/serial killer, Jack the Ripper. People steered clear of coaches and strange men. Serina tightened her robe. It was beginning to feel too much like a corset, and those bony bodices she detested, vowing solemnly never to wear one no matter how big she became. Even with the robe secured, she felt underdressed. She took two steps toward the door, stopped and turned back. She grabbed her afghan from a chair and wound it ‘round her shoulders and chest. Heat or heatstroke, there’d be no peep shows tonight. Hands on her little black bag she headed out. “I’m a doctor. What’s taken place?” she called out as she ran into the street. Sizing the man up, Serina wasn’t intimidated in the least by him. Yes, she was eye level to his navel. Yes, he was acting like a stark, raving loon running around and screaming, but his eyes, they held a genuine concern that touched her. Duncan stood, mouth slightly ajar, saying naught for the time being staring at her, giving her a complex. “What?” Serina barked. “Sir,” she snapped her fingers at him. “Please, tell me what has taken place.” Impatiently, she walked to the carriage, tripping over the
afghan and fighting for her balance with her bag. Aren’t you just the most graceful being? Not quite prim and definitely not proper. She snorted. No, she was certain beyond a reasonable doubt no one could ever accuse her of being proper. Prim? She had no clue of the meaning of the word. “I was driving my Lord and Lady home from the gala this evening when something… no someone… no something, well I am not sure what the hell it was, but it blew right past me with such speed and force and knocked me off the carriage onto me arse commanding me to lay quiet with its ghastly voice. I couldn’t move, couldn’t protect me family. A bastard of a thing,” he explained no longer staring at her, but glancing up at her as he plopped down on the road without warning, rubbing at his forehead, covered with blood. “I’m not even sure, Miss, how long I lay on the ground. Time was stolen away. The creature’s eyes were the deadest pools of black I’ve ever seen. The bastard laughed as it floated off. I still can’t believe me eyes, Miss. It floated. I swear I’ve had neither grog nor mead this eve. An ale yes, but nothing more. Two, I’ll confess to, but that was it, I think.” She looked at the shaken man, his arms locked around his body, rocking himself, and she knew he would be of no use. Serina approached him. Bending eye level with him, she lifted his hat to find his injury. A gash above his brow that didn’t need sutures. He could wait for mending. The two in the carriage couldn’t. “Your name, Sir?” “Duncan Thomas.” From the corner of her eye, Serina watched as her neighbor approached, half apprehensive, half eager it seemed. The woman would run a few steps and
stop. Then she’d run a few more, each time pivoting back toward her home. From Serina’s point, the woman obviously didn’t know if she was coming or going. Serina had never spoken with the woman before, but saw her out occasionally with a fat little cat, that looked like a cow, and acted like a dog, following her every footstep. In a heartbeat, Serina knew she was going to place the carriage driver in her charge and have her run supplies if needed. This way Serina could attend to the two in the carriage with no watchful eyes surrounding her, no one questioning her methods of medicine/magic. Serina extended her hand to the woman. “Hello, Miss. I am Doctor Serina Spencer.” “Molly Baynes,” the woman replied, shaking Serina’s hand solidly, crushing her fingers. “Pleasure’s all mine. Heard oodles of you.” “Ouchhowdoyoudo,” Serina squawked as she shook her fingers out behind her back trying to rid the pain without offending the woman. Taking a deep breath she asked, “Molly, would you be so kind as to take Mister Thomas here back to your home. Tend to him, and bring me some clean cloths and all the water you might spare?” Gently, Serina nudged the woman toward Duncan. Molly didn’t hesitate. She helped him stand and escorted him to her home. Walking reluctantly away, he continued to turn back to Serina, but Molly nudged him forward saying, “Let the little slip of a thing help them. They’ll be fine. Tis been said she’s a true miracle worker.” Serina steadied her nerves hearing Molly say that. Possibly her secret wasn’t quite as safe as she thought. She flung open the carriage door and peered
inside. The smell coming from the carriage impaled her. It was the morgue all over again, only sickeningly-sweet in a concentrated cloud. Serina ran for cover and expelled the contents of her crème ice. Slowly, she made her way back to the carriage, not sure whether she felt better or worse. She was leaning toward worse. Looking inside the carriage, Serina stepped back, her eyes wide with disbelief. Blood covered the man, the seats, and pooled around his feet, but not a single drop lay on the woman. The man’s vocal cords glistened in the moonlight. How he was breathing… between gurgles, seemed nothing short of Divine Intervention. His feral eyes glared. As he attempted to speak, thin bubbles formed and popped, one after another from the hole in his throat. “Mister, you’re a bloody mess. I don’t usually chat with people once they’re as bad as you. They’re either halfway to heaven or hell by now and from the looks of you I’m guessing you weren’t allowed passage to either.” She told him, “Mister, tonight your lucky star shone in my window.” His petrified look said otherwise. He stared at Serina for all of two seconds before attempting to scream, flailing his arms in the air. Serina ducked before he clobbered her. For all his efforts the only thing he produced was more frothy bubbles. “Oh, how I loathe bubbles. Hold that thought, Mister.” Serina shoved her index finger inside his neck, instantly stilling his motions. She watched the shocked look cover his face. Within seconds her spirit and energies were busy inside him, sealing off the holes in his esophagus and lungs forcing every extra bit of energy
she could squeeze out into his pleural cavity. “How in the name of Goddess did he miss your trachea? He got everything else,” she muttered poking her finger around in there. With all good intentions, Molly came carrying cloths and two large buckets of water, but when she looked into the carriage she immediately turned tail and fled the scene. About to thank Molly, Serina instead mumbled, “Oh, I’ll bet that didn’t look good. I don’t blame you one bit.” Serina tried to reassure him with a gentle mind push that she wanted to help him. A bundle of loose nerves, he moved all over the carriage with her finger still in his neck. He grabbed her hand and with a sucking pop, tugged it from his throat. With his head tilted sideways he looked curiously between her finger and her. Joined with her, a warm, unexpected electric jolt passed between them. He dropped her hand scared and back peddled to put distance between them. “Yeah, Mister, that scared me too,” she admitted. “Listen, I am going to give you something to help you relax. I don’t usually need to, but you’re worse than me in a dentist’s chair.” She reached into her bag finding a jar of ether. She poured some onto a cloth and aimed for the man’s nose. “It will make you want to close your eyes. I promise not to hurt you.” He blocked her wrist with one hand, his other hand still clutching his neck. Locking eyes with her, he desperately needed her to understand something. Serina read his mind and glanced to the unconscious woman. She reassured him, “She’s still alive,” and prayed she hadn’t lied.
He actually attempted a small smile, throwing Serina off guard. His strength amazed her and once cleaned up, he’d be rather bonny. Serina called to Molly. Apprehensively her neighbor trudged back with Duncan trailing behind. “Molly, I need two things from you, dear. Just don’t look too closely at people and breathe very shallowly. One, lay your index, ah, pointer finger and your middle finger on the woman’s neck.” Serina instructed, “I’ll show you where.” Serina placed Molly’s hand on the woman’s neck. “You’re trying to feel a slight bump beneath the skin. Leave your fingers there and count to sixty.” Molly kept her fingers glued to the woman’s neck and counted with her eyes tightly closed as Serina mentally prepared herself. His healing would be done from the inside out, even though others would want or actually need to see stitches and bandages. Look and act like a normal doctor, Serina or tomorrow you’ll be the bell of the ball, hung out to dry and once again with no escort. “Molly, are you well?” Serina asked. “No, Miss,” Molly barely answered. “Splendid,” Serina said solely focused on the gentleman. “Is there any movement under that woman’s skin? Do we know these poor souls names yet?” Ready to enter the man’s body a second time, Serina felt an overwhelming urge that literally stifled her. She had to know more about the man, everything, his wants and darkest desires, things he held closest to his heart. And for the strangest reason she wanted to be there, in his heart and be every one of his dreams and desires. That thought made her pause and scratch her head.
A little flustered she asked, “Could I have their names please?” Duncan answered, “Lord and Lady St. James, Miss.” Married. A pout covered her lips. Duncan added, “They’re twins. I’m the caretaker and these two are me family.” Twins. Did he say twins? Serina’s lips changed direction. “Miss, she’s as cold as ice,” Molly answered through chattering teeth. Serina looked up, seeing Molly peek out from under her thick lashes, her giant dark eyes filled with horror seeing the man, the blood, the carnage. Glancing quickly at Duncan, she realized she had to get them both out of there. Duncan bent hunched over, his head between his legs, breathing rapidly. “Molly, the second thing is to finish tending to Duncan. Keep him occupied. Ask some of the neighbors if they’ve any spare trousers and shirt for this gent. And all the more water you can spare? Ta.” Before Serina finished speaking, Molly grabbed Duncan’s hand, helped him stand and retreated for the safety of her own home. Serina looked to the man who she now had a name to go by. “Lord St. James, sweet dreams!” And with that said she placed the ether soaked cotton over his nose and held him as he drifted off to sleep. Laying her hands lightly upon his shoulders, Serina focused on his interior body, allowing her healing powers to sift through him to mend tears, ligaments, muscle, organs, arteries and veins that were ruthlessly damaged. Moving onto his bowels Serina’s eyes watered and her stomach rolled. She would not vomit again.
She found out very quickly some things she had no control over. Serina stuck her head out the door and heaved wretchedly. Pulling the windows open and pushing the doors out, she prayed for frigid air and moments later an artic blast ripped through the carriage chilling her to the bone. So much to learn, so little time. Serina wasted no time and directed her powers to the man’s abdomen, watching as his intestines folded neatly, securely back into his body cavity and that foul, vile stench dissipated. She sent a warm, static heat flowing through his blood, knocking out and killing any bacteria that harbored there. After scanning Lord St. James’ body, Serina strategically placed some bandages, just in case anyone had questions. As she neared completion she noticed two things that completely piqued her interest. His left hip held a birthmark shaped like a crescent moon with a star-shaped spot wedged between the two points of the moon. It was perfect, as if someone had painted it on him. But then looking at him she noticed everything about him was perfect. Her second more noticeable point of interest lay between St. James’ thighs. She took a deep breath seeing his endowment and fought nervous giggles. The sight of him laying there spread out before her made her think things she’d only heard whispers of from others, never having experienced them herself. He wore one long, thick erection, almost too long, almost too thick. Serina licked her lips. Even dying he’s erect. Typical male. In the distance, Serina heard Molly and Duncan talking, bringing her back
to an all-too surreal reality. Serina pat her chest, catching her breath. Exhausted and completely misted for a second time today she washed him gently with cool water, to rid any residual stench that clung to him. Serina’s last task on the man was to replenish his blood loss. She decided to use her blood even though it was different from mortals. Serina dug through her little black bag and retrieved the necessary bottles and tubes. She tied off her arm with a leather strap that one, hurt like the dickens and two made her veins in her arm and hand throb and bulge. Watching the needle pierce through her skin she whined, “I really despise sharp objects aimed at me.” Serina had no clue how much blood to give the man, but taking in the puddle of blood, she transfused one full bottle. Giving him that much left her shaky, cold, and nauseous. He, on the other hand, appeared rosy and warm. She reached for a ladle of water and gulped it down, hoping to replenish some of her fluids. Glancing at his tattered trousers and what lay there enticing her, Serina grabbed a dark silk shawl that she’d spotted earlier crumpled into a ball in the corner of the seat. She neatly folded it across his lap and tucked in the edges under his belt, giving her eyes respite and thus returning his dignity. Waiting for Lord St. James to come ‘round, she tended to Lady St. James. Serina found her stunning regardless of her putrid color. Black, silky tresses draped down to the floor of the carriage. Ebony eyelashes blanketed her alabaster cheeks. Searching her, Serina found Lady St. James uterus had been damaged, so badly that the woman would never be able to bare children. Serina swallowed the
lump of bile in her throat and let her energy flow throughout the woman. She reshaped the muscle, removed the adhesions, returning to her the opportunity to bring life to this world. To get her healthy glow back, she commented, “Here we go again.” Serina gnawed on her bottom lip, realizing the woman needed a transfusion too. Watching her blood flow freely from her body and replenishing Lady St. James, Serina had a moment to feel good about what she’d accomplished tonight for these people. She’s given two strangers a second chance at life. It was rewarding, the polar opposite of working daily in the morgue. Her moment cut short when she felt her head filling like a hot air balloon and lifting off towards the stars. “Just let me get through this,” she prayed as she undid all the tubes and bottles and packed them in her bag. Quickly, Serina yanked out handfuls of cloths before she chucked the bag into the street. Picking up the last bucket of water, she took a few swigs and then dowsed Lord St. James and the carriage, cleaning both as best she could. She didn’t want these two seeing a bloodbath and scaring the daylights from them when they came to. At most she thought they’d be disoriented. Or she would be. Oh no! With that last viable thought she passed out landing face down into Lord St. James lap. **** Lucian St. James pried open his heavy eyelids, feeling as if the weight of the world rested upon them. Confused by his surroundings, and unable to get a
grasp of the evening or the events, he instead grasped a woman. He tried to recall the evening, but he drew blanks. His night became a jigsaw puzzle with missing bits and pieces. He was at a loss as to why there lay a scantily dressed female in the carriage with him with her face pressed precariously close to his groin. Doing what? he wondered. Had she fallen asleep? A curl touched his lips. “Could I have fallen asleep?” He scoffed the very idea. Lucian found this situation most amusing. And so it seemed, the more amused he got, the more aroused he got. He noticed his sister lying quietly. Chatting with no one conscious he said, “Please let Raven be asleep. Don’t wake up now. Good God, how much champagne did I consume? Who is this little slip of a thing?” Lucian slowly ran his fingers through Serina’s wavy, auburn locks trying to rouse her. Gently, he traced the outline of her body, over her back, her ribs and moving lower to her hips. He slid his hand over her bottom, feeling the soft, supple firmness her body held for him. For a split second he envisioned her naked, lying across him and gently spanking her, to which he found himself laughing aloud. He thought about undressing her due to her feverish state. All right, he agreed feverish was a lame reason, but if she came ‘round that’s what he was sticking with. Then better judgment kicked in and he decided to keep her clothed… for now. What if she woke up naked and began screaming? Glancing at his soggy predicament of tattered trousers, a black shawl draped oddly across him, his shirt shredded, frustration set in. He squinted, one hand puttering with his five o’clock shadow as his other, busy gently slapping her lush little behind.
Lucian went back to his puzzle. Who was this woman with soft sensuous curves that he would love to skim with his fingers and memorize with his heart? Why was she face down buried within his groin… asleep no less? Why was his sister snoring to the high heavens? He’d seen her at the party with a shandy in hand and he knew all too well it only took one to get her glassyeyed and giggly. There in lay his answer. Where the dickens did Duncan disappear to? He rubbed his jaw in thought. Oh wait, the last time he saw Duncan he’d been playing craps with a few friends with a nice mountain of winnings in front of him. Probably enough to buy London Bridge, not that England would ever sell her. And more importantly was this little woman going to finish what he hoped she’d started? She’d obviously attempted to rip off his clothing in a heated passion, he told himself. It was the only thing that made any sense. “Excuse me, Miss.” Lucian shook her gently. “Would you be so kind as to remove yourself so as I may try to regain my composure? Mind you, you were a tad bit rough with my attire. These did have buttons on them at one point.” Serina stirred. **** Dizzy and disoriented, Serina couldn’t quite figure out where she was. Blinking, she tried to see past some large, silky, dark object blocking her view. Serina froze. Slowly she rolled her eyes, looking up at the tumescent erection still blanketed in silk. She couldn’t move a muscle to save herself, but then obviously, she couldn’t stay there with her face buried in the man’s loins either.
What do I do to get out of this sticky situation with my dignity intact? Nothing came to mind… well that wasn’t exactly true. One thing came to mind. Her eyebrow lifted in a non-prim, non-proper fashion. Serina licked her lips. Truth be known, she read his mind quickly and had seen what he’d wanted from her. He wanted Serina to take him, all of him into her mouth, lick the length of him, taste him, nibble her way down his shaft and captured his more delicate parts, and ultimately drive him over the edge. She was pretty confident she could grant his wish. She felt her heart racing and she turned her head away before his nob poked out her eye. “Sir, I know this looks completely enormous…” Serina bit her tongue and covered her mouth, disbelieving she’d uttered such gibberish. Lucian laughed wholeheartedly which compounded her embarrassment. “I mean outrageous. I know this appears scandalous, but please give me a minute of your time before you say anything or judge my reasons for being here like this. I swear tis not as it seems.” **** Lucian with his sense of humor lacking better judgment added, “I believe, Miss, you’ve already had a minute or two from what I can see. I’ll leave the final judgment until you’re finished.” He smiled smugly. She, he thought, was a woman he’d enjoy getting to know from her to her gorgeous green eyes to her ravishing endowment to her toes. And this toying with her seemed a great way to start. ****
“Oh no, Sir. Is that what you think? I was not! A lady would never.” She attempted to sound appalled. Oh, Serina. You lie. You most certainly were thinking that and you would... “Let me try this again. Lord St. James, I am Dr. Serina Spencer. Your sister and you sort of fell into my lap and were in need of emergent care.” She looked up at him, a wall of muscle and she felt like the little slip of a thing she’d heard Molly call her. The man was sheer, rugged beauty she wanted draped across her body, stoking her all ready heated desires. “Well, Dr. Spencer,” Lucian said, as he gestured to her position in the carriage. “Your story is backwards dear, for who is whose lap?” Lord St. James wore a grin the devil himself would envy. She realized he was toying with her and enjoying every second of it. Oddly, so did she. Serina decided to get up and out of the carriage before anything more embarrassing happened. With one arm to each side of his body, she pushed away from him and lost her footing in a puddle of water. About to say, “Oops,” she slipped fast and forward directly onto the man’s welcoming silken-covered erection. She became all arms and legs trying to get off him. Lucian grabbed her forearms and steadied her. “Oh by the Goddess, I’m so sorry,” she prattled. “Oh, I’m so…” Serina tossed the shawl aside and grabbed his penis gently, lifting his warm shaft and inspecting it… and watching it solidify beneath her grasp. “I didn’t hurt you did I? I’m utterly mortified.” Feeling a slight pulsation coming from beneath her fingers she glanced back towards her hand. The small gestures of her hand along with the warmth of her breath was all
it took, and Serina knew Lord St. James was in no way injured, and that all body parts worked just fine. His head fell backwards and he sucked in a huge gulp of air with his eyes glazed over languorously. Good thing you fixed his airway, Serina. “Oh, Sir!” Serina gasped along with him, no longer overwhelmed with guilt for hurting him, or thinking she had, but now for touching him and feeling satisfaction that she had.
****
Lucian gently put his fingers to her lips. “Shush, M’lady. I’m fine. You’ve more than seen to that. You’ve a most peculiar bed-side manner.” He couldn’t help but smile as he straightened the shawl, covering himself once more. “I must confess to you, it is very stimulating, finding a beautiful woman in my lap… and a first.” He placed his fingers beneath her chin and tilted her head upward to get a closer look. He found her ravishing with a small slightly turned up nose, perfect facial features, unforgettable glistening, green eyes and lush full lips made for him alone to kiss. That thought caught him off guard, but then it seemed everything about her did. He knew she was thoroughly mortified when she laid her head back down on his shoulder trying to regain her composure. With that small movement Lucian wasted no time and placed his hand back in the silken strands of her hair, savoring the moment. “I would think that you and I might need a more informal introduction after
this evening, M’lady. My name is Lucian and you could start by looking at me. My promise to you, I’ll try not to make any more wise comments or embarrass you more than you all ready appear to be, but on the rarest of occasions, as my dear sister claims, I speak before I think. You’ve been forewarned.” Serina slowly raised her eyes to him and playfully he winked at her. **** Serina found Lucian’s voice gentle, a soft whisper creeping deeply into her soul, knowingly seeking her out, drawing her to him. It was as if silk slinked across her and touched her where no man had ever touched her before. He caressed her soul and took possession of her heart. Oh, bloody hell, what’s wrong with me? It must be blood loss, lack of oxygen. The heat, yes indeed, the man is a bloody inferno. “I do have some serious questions for you though.” Lucian brushed her hair from her face, adding intimacy to the desire that swiftly overcame her. “My name is Serina.” She shyly met his striking silvery blue eyes. They shone, as if the sun beat directly on them. Melting mercury, she thought. The man definitely had the capability of making a few things melt, her being one of them. Serina literally stifled a gasp. She could actually differentiate his eye color. She’d been color blind from birth. She hid it as best she could, memorizing everything in life her mother had taught her, like apples are red, grass is green, dead people are bluish-grey… the important things. His lips, she decided, looked like an invitation to heaven. Serina wanted to kiss that bottom lip and nibble on it just a bit, all right, maybe more than just a bit,
have them travel every inch of her and explore her body… for starters. Even through what was left of his trousers she could see solid muscle in his thighs. Serina slid her hands against that smooth muscle once more, just because she could. What was a little more guilt at this point? **** Isn’t she a cheeky one? He bit his tongue rethinking that only moments before he’d done the same to her delicate behind. He sat in awe of the woman sitting on his lap, wondering how fate had intervened and given him this little gift so nicely wrapped in a scantily laced robe. Lucian’s heart flip-flopped as he watched her. Possessive, demanding urges commanded he take her and run. Run far away from everyone in his life and get to know her, to make love to her on the beach at sunset, seeing the golden glow to her soft, flawless skin and hold her safely in his arms until the sun washed over them the next morning. And then do it all over again. What in the name of the Queen happened to me tonight? Lucian, you’ve only just met the woman. Act like a gentleman. Having never before experienced anything remotely like this, Lucian found himself in a quandary. He’d never given another woman the time of day, let alone a second glance. He’d had a vision of a woman years earlier of his idealistic, passionate mate. And here she sat… flashing him with the most remarkable smile, an interesting attitude, and those bountiful breasts. Jesus, they’re so inviting. So soft. So sensuous. So in need of my undivided attentions. Lucian threaded his fingers tightly together, for fear he would actually reach out to fondle her without
an actual invite to do so. **** Just the thought of Lucian… the name spelled divine to her. Oddly her breasts ached, her nipples firmly pressed free from the robe. She casually glanced down. Her jaw dropped. Out of the robe! For the love of God. “Don’t get embarrassed, Serina. Casually look down and just tuck the only thing that’s bigger than your mouth back in its place.” Lucian grinned. “Personally I think they’re beautiful and wouldn’t mind seeing them more often.” Serina snapped her head up to look at him. “Excuse me?” Her eyes went wide, taking the man in. “Did you just see my—never mind. Did you read my mind?” “As much as I wish I could read minds, Serina, especially yours, I cannot. You just said all that nonsense out loud, luv. Once you’re all tucked back in would you answer some questions for me? Need any help? Willing and able, that’s me.” I bet you’re able! Serina felt the weight of his gaze as he sat back lazily and stretched out. That gaze reminded her of a prowling cat, hungry to devour its prey. I could fancy that. “Lucian, let me start by telling you what happened here tonight and then see if you’ve any unanswered questions for me.” Lucian interrupted, “I wish Raven would come out of her stupor. She’s had a little more drink than she’s used to tonight. She sleeps like the dead. This is rare
for her. And where in the name of God, is Duncan? Last time I saw him, he had enough coins in front of him to…. He’s probably met some woman, or at least I hope he did. The man’s been to hell and back, but that’s a story for a different day.” Lucian’s demeanor changed before her eyes. The smile—gone. His silverblue eyes—the calm before the storm. “Is that what you think happened to you tonight?” She asked confused. Could the man honestly have no clue what happened to them? “Both you and your sister will be fine. Mr. Thomas is safe with my neighbor. Lucian, listen carefully to what I’m about to tell you. A vampire attacked you both. You were both in pretty rough shape, but tonight, Sir, was your lucky night, in more ways than one.” Lucian glanced to his sister, studying her. “Did you say vampire? How much spirits have you indulged in, Madam?” Serina raised her voice. “Pardon me? Do not doubt me, Lord St. James. These creatures are very real and very deadly.” Lucian ran his fingers through his sister’s hair and then gently brushed her bangs from her face. He tilted her head to the side and gasped upon seeing a large bloody bruise with two puncture wounds in her neck. “She’s fine. Trust me.” Lucian stared in disbelief. “You wouldn’t lie to me? Then why hasn’t she come round? A vampire?” Serina continued, hoping to alleviate some of his concerns. “She’s gaining her strength. I swear to you, I took care of her.” She leaned over and placed her hand atop of his, hoping to calm him. She found the spark still there, ready to be
rekindled. A warm pulse flowed between them. The look he gave her almost made her laugh. “That’s a story for a different day, luv.” She smirked. “I gave you both a blood transfusion. She’ll likely require another one tomorrow. It takes three bites in a relatively short period of time to become an indentured servant to a vampire. All it takes is one nasty blood-drenching bite to become dead. You came close. I put you back together again, hopefully better than Humpty Dumpty.” “Humpty Dumpty? What a pathetic name.” Serina cocked her to one side. “You’re pulling me leg, right?” “About what?” “About Humpty?” Lucian shook his head no. Serina inhaled finding his breath fragrant. With that thought, she realized she was in trouble. She grabbed his rugged chin covered with a faint shadow of whiskers and raised her eyebrows as she looked into his eyes. “Fairy tale published in 1810?” she said with a question in her voice. “Please tell me you know fairy tales. Come on, Lord St. James. Every child has been told it. Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall…” Serina waited to see if he would finish the tale or if he truly hadn’t heard it. A few more seconds went by, “Later. I’ll read you the tale later. There’s two theories. First is about an egg and the second about King Richard, murdering wastrel that he was.” “Ooh, a bedtime story?” Lucian winked. “You don’t care much for the royals do you?” “They’re all daft. Incestuous group, I suppose. Just look at the Queen’s
husband. Too many uncles and brothers in that lot. Anyway,” Serina continued, “I believe that creature wanted you dead.” I certainly wouldn’t. Worn out atop me definitely, but never dead. Again she smiled at him coyly. “And your sister, well… she’s lucky to be alive. Your driver’s rattled a bit, but he’s fine.” Raven St. James stretched like she’d been in a deep slumber. She blinked a few times and then rubbed her eyes, focusing on her surroundings. “Lucian?” Raven whispered, her voice sounded raspy, raw. She looked around the coach, her eyes widening as she noted a few bandages on her brother. Setting her sights on Serina, she asked, “What’s happened to us? Are you all right? Why’ve you a naked woman in here? Did she hurt you? What did you do to his clothing?” She accused Serina. “I’m not naked,” Serina snapped in self-defense, knowing she really didn’t have a leg to stand on with that remarkably intelligent rebuttal. “And,” she paused pointing with her index finger, opening and closing her mouth, trying to think of something—anything that made some sense. Instead she gave Raven an ill-fated grin. Seeing Raven’s facial expression, both her eyebrows shooting towards her hairline and her finger alarmingly pointing to her robe, Serina tried again to secure the garment. Failing miserably, she went in search of the afghan that lay out in the street. Serina groaned loudly. At this point she no longer cared about her attire, or lack there of. Raven pulled herself into the corner of the seat and hugged her knees to her chest tightly. “Lucian, please answer me.”
Lucian reached over to Raven and pulled her to him. He held her tenderly. “Lucian where’s Duncan? Is…?” Raven’s voice quieted. Lucian consoled her. “Ray, we’re fine. I don’t know who this beautiful woman really is,” Lucian winked at Serina, “but she saved our lives, and we owe her a great debt. I only have a limited version of the evening’s events, but she believes a vampire attacked us.” “A what?” Raven yelled. “Vampire, let me finish, Beauty. She was kind enough to give you and I her blood.” “You’ve gone stark, raving, mad, Lucian St. James,” Raven conceded. Serina extended her hand. “Raven, my name is Serina Spencer. I’m a doctor. I work at the hospital’s morgue. They are real, the vampires, trust me. I dealt with one just this morning.” Lucian and Raven exchanged a glance between them. “Why don’t the two of you come into my home and freshen up? Raven, would you care for tea? I really need to get out of this coach and this robe, and replace some fluids I gave you two, before I pass out again.” She glanced at Lucian wearing a small curve to her lips. “Please, come in.” **** Lucian let go of his sister and jumped out of the carriage. He found it hard to believe that moments before he had almost met his death. He actually felt better than he had before the attack. He held out his hand to Serina to help her down. The moment she slid her small hand into his power rippled through his body like a jack
hammer jamming into the pavement. The rush shocked him, but he embraced the invigorating energy. Letting go of her hand, Lucian wrapped his hands around her tiny waist and brought Serina to him allowing her to slide down the front of him— slowly, as she brushed up against the thickness still present, until her feet hit the ground. He held onto her for a moment, not at all embarrassed in showing her he had feelings for her… until he realized the silk shawl she’d draped across him now on the road by his feet. **** Serina picked up the afghan. “You need this thing more than I do.” She wrapped the heavy cover around Lucian’s waist, concealing all his personal parts yet again. “At least until you find some trousers. You’ll be getting more than you bartered for wearing these.” She reached up and ruffled his silky curls. Just then, Serina watched as he bent toward her and prepared herself for the kiss she just knew he was about to deliver. She wet her lips and closed her eyes… waiting, hoping. He whispered softly behind her ear, “I am truly grateful for all you’ve done tonight. This should seem like the worst night of my life, yet it feels like the best. And I believe you to be the very reason.” He moved his hands to her cheeks, his thumbs brushing her skin. “Regardless, I want to spank you.” Lucian choked and Serina burst out laughing. “I mean thank you.” He felt his cheeks burn a lovely shade of red. “We’re quite the pair, you and I,” Serina conceded. “Indeed.” And with that said he gently placed a light, delicate, intimate kiss
on her cheek. This was the first time he’d ever kissed a woman and really meant to, really enjoyed it and really didn’t think he could stop himself from taking her right then and there. A mounting shudder of need rode the length of his spine ricocheting from his brain to his loins, leaving him stiff as a board. Oh, how he just wanted to take her away and make her his. He glanced around searching for a private spot. Regain your brain Lucian, the head atop his shoulders nagged. Take your time with this, with her. His other head, the one screaming and throbbing at him from below his afghan wasn’t going down without a fight. You’ll be sorry if you don’t throw her over your shoulder and run! I’m not going anywhere all evening. A small groan escaped him. **** Her first kiss ever from a man. Serina stood there happily trapped, like a fly in honey. She couldn’t have moved if she’d wanted too, and she didn’t want to. His aim however, was off. Serina wanted a real kiss, but she didn’t want to give the impression of being a tart either, although bumping into and grasping his silky erection negated that she still worry. That minor catastrophe didn’t really count since it was an accident, she’d told herself. “Strangely, I know how you feel. I’m so glad I was able to help you, but Lucian, you owe me nothing. The pleasure of your company, even under the most dire circumstances tonight, has been most memorable.” Without even realizing it she snuggled into his frame, arching backwards to see him, praying he’d attempt to kiss her once more, and perfect his aim.
**** Lucian slowly closed the distance to Serina’s tantalizing lips when he turned at the last possible second and whispered, “You need to scoot while you still can.” He bowed reluctantly allowing to Serina escape him, but only for the moment he thought. With a subtle smile she turned and walked away from him swaying her hips with a graceful ease, until she tripped on an uneven slate stone and fought for her balance. Lucian enjoyed the view. She definitely had a nice bottom to look at and to touch. Suddenly he had images running through his mind of more intimate acts he wanted to do with her bottom… and the rest of her. Lucian wanted Serina. He needed her. He would have her. Didn’t he deserve love for himself? He’d spent the past eight years raising Raven, seeing her safe and cared for, never taking time for him. Feeling eyes burning a hole in the back of his head he turned around to find his little beauty standing in the carriage with a beautiful smile, eyeing him curiously. “Oh, do tell! What exactly did I miss tonight, Luce? I don’t ever recall seeing that look on your face. Ever.” Raven kicked at her brother from the carriage. “Are you going to get me out of this oven?” Lucian swung Raven around to the ground and hugged her. “Can we go inside, Raven?” Lucian pleaded. “You’re an imbecile, Luce. But I feel it too.” Raven had her hand over her heart as she spoke, “She’s different all right.” Giving her brother a quick glance she
wrinkled her nose and decided he smelled fouler than the back of the stables. “Nice trousers, Luce. Do I want to know why you’ve got this wrapped like a kilt?” Lucian shook his head no. Raven grabbed at the afghan. Lucian grabbed it at the same time. It became a tug of war between sister and brother with Lucian winning and Raven laughing hysterically. “I don’t even want to know what happened to you tonight, but if that woman saved you, then I owe her. I don’t ever want to think about losing you, Lucian. I’m willing to share you, but never lose you.” Raven tossed her arm around her brother’s waist and began walking towards Serina’s home. “God, Lucian, you smell absolutely rancid.” Raven chortled, plugging her nose and chuckling at the same time. “She saved you as well, Ray. Vampires? I’d heard a few tales, but I thought they were just that—tales.” They proceeded up the pathway surrounded by beautifully thick black rose bushes, holding on to one another.
CHAPTER ~ TWO
Once inside Serina’s home, Raven went to work inspecting, needing to find out every thing about the woman. Everywhere Raven looked roses sat in vases, hogging the tables, the floors, the windowsills. Tiny bottles filled with fragrant oils cluttered another table and gave the home a heavenly scent. Serina had uniquely decorated her home. She possessed a bold passion for the unusual bordering on atrocious. Not one thing matched. Yellow roses with light green leaves and vines wallpaper crept across the walls. Her sapphire colored velvet couch and love settee with plump, orange taffeta toss pillows begged for a different room. The pink paisley curtains should have been put out with the trash. The contrast was more than night and day. A player piano doubled as another table with hidden photos of
Serina’s family behind more roses. “The flowers are breathtaking, Serina.” Raven raised her voice, uncertain where Serina went. “Who is your gardener?” “Me,” Serina answered from a small room off her kitchen. Coming out in a clean yellow linen blouse with a purple and black striped skirt, that accented her figure without flaunting it, she carried a tray of tea into the room and placed it on the table. “My background may be in medicine but my true passion is chemistry, the way things are put together and why. I’m still working on how the black roses came to be. My mother sneezed on one of them and it turned black. They used to be white. Her sneeze began a reaction that went from one rose to the next and so on, just like dominos tumbling.” Raven’s eyes went wide. “You are, of course joking.” Serina shook her shook no. “I swear it. It took only minutes. Strangest thing I’ve ever witnessed. Anyway, from the black roses I’ve developed a fragrance. Would you care to try it? Tis sold in the markets. I’ve named it Eden’s Black Rose after my mother. She told me I’d recreated Eden’s garden once.” Serina handed Raven a small ornate rose color bottle. Raven started to shake her head in protest of the gift, but Serina gently pushed the bottle to her. “This way you’ll always remember me.” Serina smiled genuinely. Raven gave Serina a warm hug. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for us tonight.” Raven turned, sauntering about. “Lucian?” Raven’s voice echoed through the house. “Ah—Lucian, what a stunning garden.” Raven shoved past him, slamming him into the doorframe to get outside to the back garden as she teasingly
tugged at his pink and purple garment still secured tightly around his waist. Outside, English yellow roses climbed to the heavens with black roses interspersed. The petals of both bushes covered the ground with a silky veil. “Tis a bumble bee’s paradise. You’ll never see the little buggers until it’s too late.” Raven laughed alone. Lucian shook his head at her as a smirk curled his lips. “My fair, Raven, your mirth endears me. Your humor enchants me. Your logic evades both of us.” Serina returned just in time to witness the banter between brother and sister. “Did you know Serina’s also a chemist? Maybe she could make a pill to help your hubris, Luce.” Raven nudged her brother gently with her elbow. Serina laughed watching as Lucian playfully mussed his sister’s hair. “If I could do that, Raven I’d be living better than the Queen herself. Not that I believe you need a pill, Lucian.” Serina batted her long lashes at Lucian and gave him a slightly coy smirk before turning to Raven and winking. “Right, so this is how it’s to be. For once Raven has someone else on her side. Go ahead ladies, have your moment.” He gave both women a wide grin, baring all teeth and then stuck out his tongue at his sister. “Is Duncan still with the woman across the road? We should probably retrieve him, Ray, and let this woman get some rest. We don’t want to wear out our welcome.” Escorting Raven inside, he pulled up short in front of the yellow roses and pulled one from a vase and handed it to Serina. “These roses you surround yourself are beautiful, M’lady, yet pale in your presence.” Lucian took her hand in his and brought it to his mouth.
Oh how he wanted her. Then. There. That second. He honestly didn’t believe he’d be able to leave her house, to leave her unless he was kicking and screaming. Then he thought he might be being a tad bit melodramatic in his thinking. Yes she was beautiful, yes she was smart, yes she was oh so incredibly sultry, softly alluring and those twinkling eyes. Jesus, the woman had enchanted him, snuck up on him and stolen his heart. And he didn’t care. God help him, it was love at first sight. He was certain. He’d never been in love before, and if this was love, he was in trouble. God help her! “Hello, hello, Lucian, Raven?” Duncan’s voice carried over well before he approached the front door. “I’ve got you some clean trousers, Lucian, and a shirt. A gentleman living next door to Miss Baynes said you could have them. Said he’s put on some extra weight since his wife became with child and he can no longer squeeze into them. I believe they’ve got their roles reversed.” Duncan strut with authorative steps to Lucian and grabbed him. Crushing Lucian to him unshed tears hung in his eyes. “I thought I’d lost you. Luce, you can’t die on me. Promise me. I’d be lost without me best mate.” Lucian returned Duncan’s hug. “Not to worry, old man. T’was nothing more than a scratch. A small flesh wound,” he joked. Duncan shook his head, releasing a large sigh. He tossed the clothing to Lucian. “That small flesh wound you speak of looked like a gutted animal. Please hurry and change, Luce. I see you’ve been dressing with Raven’s clothing again? Pink kilts?” Duncan turned to Serina wearing a wicked grin. “Dr. Spencer, thank you for saving me family. I don’t know what you did to save them, but I am
eternally grateful. You are a miracle worker.” He gave Serina a small bow at his hips. “The roses are beautiful, might I?” Duncan picked a yellow rose from the vase and ran out the door, mumbling something about Molly. “May I use your washroom, Serina?” Lucian held out the clean clothes in front of him with a slight shrug his shoulders. “Come with me, Sir. It’s up the stairs.” Serina held out her hand to Lucian. He wasted no time accepting her offer. “You’ve a washroom on your second floor?” Lucian asked curiously. Most of the homes in this area were plain, and simple with watersheds in their garden. “Yes. We have a large water tank in the attic that gets filled with rainwater —or me if there’s no rain. Me Mum wanted a modern home and trust me, she always gets what she wants.” Lucian looked back to his sister. “Are you all right if I leave you?” Raven shooed her brother off. “I’m fine. I’ve never felt better, honestly.” Lucian couldn’t help but admire Serina’s backside as they climbed the stairs. Her choice in her wardrobe though, left him wondering if she’d dressed in the dark. “Do you live alone, Serina? Where is your family? How is it that a beautiful young woman is a doctor and has no one to care for her? You don’t do you?” Lucian asked, almost afraid of the answer, but he had to know everything. **** “I live alone. I’m twenty-one. My parents are off on an adventure to America. I am on staff at the hospital and when I’m not there, I’m either in my garden or at the orphanage.” Serina made it perfectly clear no one pined for her
affections other than some starved-for-attention children. The intensity of Serina’s emotions left her uncertain how to act. And a doubting Thomas didn’t suit her. Reluctantly, she released his hand. I’m no good at soul searching. Give me a dead body any day of the week, but don’t make try to figure out me. “The washroom is here. I’m going to keep your sister company. I trust you’ll be fine.” Serina turned to leave, but she tripped and slammed head first into the wall. She staggered backwards, holding her hands over her face. “I’m fine. Really!” Other than the embarrassed ego splattered all over the wall. Lucian covered the distance and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, and with a slight tug he pulled her against him. Around her, his arms felt strong and warm, and for the first time Serina felt safe and comforted. Wasn’t it only an hour or so ago she was dead set against having another human touching her? Extra body heat? It was one thing to have the orphans climbing all over her. Lucian was an entirely new bedtime story. Lucian leaned his head atop of Serina’s, his whiskers catching in her hair. He whispered, “You’ve a funny way of going down stairs, M’lady. There are easier ways. Trust me. Don’t move a muscle and I’ll see to your safety.” Lucian spun her fast in his arms to face him. He tapped his index finger gently to her nose. “Stay put, little one.” “Right then.” Serina watched his beautifully sculpted body walk away. She fought every wild urge not to give chase. Her head became clouded with thoughts of him behind that door, in only his birthday suit—and oh what a birthday present. She leaned against the wall and ran her hands through her hair, ruffling it up,
sending it in total disarray, just as her mind was. She dropped to her knees to pray for guidance, or even a lucid thought would even have done the trick, with neither happening. “Dear Goddess…” Lucian opened the door and watched. “That’s an odd compliment, Dr. Spencer, but trust me, Goddess, I am not if you’ve not noticed.” He pointed to his groin with that sinful grin she’d simply fallen in love with. “Aren’t doctors supposed to know the difference between Gods and Goddesses?” Lucian’s eyes danced with mischief and his smile held other thoughts, deeply intimate thoughts, of what the two of them would enjoy sharing together soon. Serina could barely wait. “There is a dinner in town that Raven and I must attend in a few nights. You would honor me as my guest?” Lucian bent down and swiftly picked her up in his arms, cradling her tightly to his chest. “Up we go,” he said as they headed down the stairs. Serina tossed her arms around his neck and for just a moment nuzzled her face to the side of his neck. She enjoyed being this close to him, and now that he’d cleaned up, his scent tickled her fancy. “What will I do without you tonight to help me get back up these stairs to bed?” She whispered, and quickly covered her lips. Tart with a capital “T”. That’s me! Serina leaned back, and bat her eyelashes at him. Lucian stopped about halfway down the stairs, turned around and headed back up them with a wishful smile that went well past his eyes. “This night, then?” “For as much as I would love that, I’m going to ask you to turn around once
more and head back down the stairs, although I really don’t know why. Lucian, I’ve never…” Serina hesitated looking down at the floor. “I’ve never lain with a man before.” She wasn’t sure if it was a confession or an apology. She wanted to prepare him that she was a virgin and knew nothing in the ways of lovemaking so he wouldn’t be disappointed if they ever....
Lucian sat down on the steps and cradled her in his lap. “Serina, neither have I.” He gave her a puckish grin. “Seriously, I’ve never been with a woman. So we’ll take this slow. Get to know each other better, and then I’ll tuck you in tomorrow night.” “You’re very funny. You—never been with a woman? Were you locked away your entire life? Or are you a eunuch?” “I believe we’ve crossed that bridge. You stole me best kept secret from under me black silky shawl. No eunuch’s under there.” Lucian winked. “But seriously, I’ve never met the right woman.” Until tonight. Lucian twirled strands of her hair around his fingers as he lost himself gazing into her eyes. “I do believe you’ve bewitched me, doctor.” He bent forward, gently tugging her head backward with her hair. With only a whisper in her ear, and his hot breath against her skin, he said, “I’d like to kiss you.” His hand splayed across her cheek and jaw, caressing her as his lips softly brushed against Serina’s lush mouth. He nudged his tongue through the parting in her lips, needing to taste her, to swallow her, to savor her all in one kiss. Oh the man is making me insane. Serina wanted to throw caution to the
wind. Something she’d never done a day in her life. Everything in her existence had been so bloody predictable, so safe and sheltered. Just once, she wanted to live and to feel what it was like to be with a man and not have her life or reputation hanging in the balances. Not have her mother hanging like a noose around her neck, waiting to snuff out her last breath. Or have the witch hunters burning her home to the ground while she slept. Serina lay in Lucian’s arms so content, feeling his desire for her pressed firmly against her bottom. She wiggled causing a rush of air to escape him. Do it once more, Serina. See what happens. This could be fun. She pressed her bottom in closer. Lucian threw his head back and wore a look Serina wasn’t entirely sure was pleasure or pain. She scanned his thoughts and smiled. Pleasure. She never felt more alive or more a woman. Seeing her nipples blossoming before her eyes, excited her senses, and heightened her desires in other areas of her body. A strange burning developed between her thighs that she enjoyed. He bent to her once more, with parted lips his eyes hidden beneath, long black lashes. His cheeks were flushed and his scent reminded her of the air, fresh and clean after a rainstorm. Once his lips pressed against hers he moaned as he deepened their kiss. Concerned she did something wrong, she broke away from him. “Did I hurt you?” He rolled his eyes up every delicious inch of her. “I don’t believe you could ever hurt me, unless we never get to finish this some time soon.” Lucian’s face was all male. The want, the desire, the need etched into his very being. “M’lady, I know we can’t, well no, actually we could do this, but not tonight. Not like this. I want
everything between us perfect when that time comes so for now I’m going to carry you the rest of the way down the stairs.” Serina quickly kissed his cheek. “Thank you for not sullying my reputation tonight. I’d love to have dinner with Raven and you. What should I wear?” “Nothing comes to mind, M’lady, literally nothing.” Serina slapped at his chest. “Lord St. James, please try to be serious for just a second. If you’re to begin wooing me then I want to look ravishing for you.” She raised her eyebrows a few times in jest. “What’s that, my wild rose? Begin wooing you? And here I thought I all ready had. I’ll have to work on my charm.” He kissed her again, long and deep, because he wanted, no needed to. He broke away wearing a smile fit for the King. “Do you have a gown?” he asked, almost afraid after seeing her attire tonight. He realized the other women at the dinner would eat her alive if she showed up looking anything less than royalty. They were sharks and she’d be fresh chum. “Tis a formal affair. I’d rather pass on the evening, but my stature within the House of Lords states I must grace them with my presence.” He snickered alone. “Raven shall have the pleasure of your company during dinner. Then after dinner you’ll be my dessert. Fair enough?” “Fair enough.” A small smile curved her lips as she met his gaze. “I’ve never had need of a dress for such an occasion. I’ll have to see what I can put together.” Lucian’s heart stuttered. Quickly, he offered, “I’ll bring you a dress for the evening. And your favorite color is?”
“You don’t have to buy me a dress, Lucian. I’m very capable of dressing myself. Your offer is overwhelming.” “Serina, let me do this for you, please? I’d really love the opportunity to dress you.” He smiled then, a full-blown grin. “Undress you, actually,” he whispered. “This is my idea and it is truly the least I can do for you.” Clasping his hands in front of her, he pleaded to her to allow him this small favor. Serina nibbled on her bottom lip. “Green. I think my favorite color is green. Or maybe purple. Red might be nice. I love the color of your eyes. They’re blue right?” She’s color blind? Humbly she added, “And you don’t need to spank me, I mean thank me. I’d have done the same for anyone.” They both laughed. “All of it?” Lucian asked skeptically, remembering only a short time ago their time together in the carriage. “My bedside manner, Lord St. James is my best attribute,” she teased, brushing his silky curls from his face. “No arguments there, luv.” Serina started to crawl off Lucian’s lap when he grabbed her waist and pulled her back to him. “I still owe you an escort down the stairs, M’lady.” Standing awkwardly, he carried her to the bottom of the stairs. Looking down at the bulge in his trousers he wondered if he’d ever lose the erection. Not tonight. Lucian pressed his lips to hers once again deeply kissing her. When he
pulled away from her he said, “Hopefully that one will hold me over for a bit, but I doubt it.” He set her down and whispered, “Look at that.” Duncan sat holding Raven fast asleep in his arms. “How long has she been asleep?” Lucian asked overcome with guilt. Duncan grinned. “Not long, Luce. She came over to Molly’s home to give you two a little privacy.” Lucian turned to Serina. “I will begin my wooing rituals in the near future. Sweet dreams, M’lady. Come on, my old man, let’s get our sleeping beauty home.” Lucian scooped Raven up into his arms and carried her out the door. Duncan held the carriage door open for Lucian and his sister. Once they were inside, he turned to Serina. “Good night, Dr. Spencer,” then he bowed before climbing atop the carriage. Lucian pressed his forehead to the glass watching as Serina grew smaller with each step the horses took him away from her. **** Serina stood at the edge of her lawn with one foot in heaven and her other foot dancing lightheartedly on earth as she watched the carriage roll away with her future. The sky dazzled her with shimmering tiny diamonds, and a full moon glowing brilliantly, replenished her energies like the sun on a bright warm day. She stood wearing a simple grin. What was this feeling that invaded her mind, her body and soul so swiftly? Lust or love? Or was it just the heat and one handsome, gentle man with the most dreamy, sparkling eyes she’d ever seen? Her merry thoughts quickly faded thinking about Lucian’s attacker. Even
with the heat, shivers bit into her spine like the blustery March winds on a rainy day. Serina decided she didn’t like being alone, especially outside. She retreated inside and locked all windows and doors. She wasn’t sure at that point if it was easier to die from heat stroke or a vampire attack. Serina went with heat stroke. It seemed the lesser of the two evils. Curled up tightly in her bed, she lay quietly under her quilt, feverishly sweating, yes sweating, clutching the quilt for a sense of security more than anything. She began to rethink the night’s events and was astonished with the outcome. She’d saved a very handsome, eligible man, saved his sister, and even gotten a dinner proposal out of it. Not to mention her first kiss. Serina could still taste him on her lips and what a rare delicacy. She drifted off to sleep hoping to dream of the new man in her life, but her dreams were not so kind.